The Consulate General of Israel accredited to the Hong Kong and Macau SARs celebrated the 78th Independence Day of the State of Israel on Tuesday with a reception in Hong Kong.
According to a statement by the Consulate General, the HKSAR’s Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Alice Mak Mei-kuen, and Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR, Hua You, attended the event as guests of honor.
In his speech, Consul General of Israel Amir Lati said that Independence Day was meaningful especially since the terrorist attack of October 7, a reminder of the heavy price Israel must pay to safeguard its freedom and sovereignty against those who deny its right to exist.
“Lati expressed his hope for a more moderate, peaceful and less radical Middle East to be built, opening pathways for coexistence and expanding the Abraham Accords, which have the power to reshape the Middle East region,” the statement said.
He also highlighted that, despite these challenges, Israel’s economy—especially the high-tech sector—has demonstrated remarkable resilience. Last year, Lami pointed out, Tel Aviv ranked fourth worldwide for startup investments, 35 new multinational companies established operations in Israel, and high-tech exports reached 58 percent of Israel’s total exports.
While the People’s Republic of China remains Israel’s second biggest trade partner, the HKSAR is one of Israel’s leading trade partners in Asia, with bilateral trade of US$3.5 billion last year, Lami underlined.
This year’s celebration was especially held at the Jewish Community Centre of Hong Kong, near the historic Ohel Leah Synagogue. The Jewish community has been part of Hong Kong life for nearly 200 years and continues to contribute greatly to the fabric of Hong Kong, Lami underlined.
Marking the end of his five-year tenure in Hong Kong, Lati said there was great potential for collaboration between Israel and Hong Kong, and he was grateful to friends across Hong Kong society who partner with Israel in business, technology, culture and other fields.
Among the dignitaries attending the reception were former HKSAR chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, consuls-general, prominent businesspeople, and members of the Israeli and Jewish community in Hong Kong, including well-known entrepreneurs Michael Green and Allan Zeman.
(From left to right) HKSAR Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen, Consul-General of Israel Amir Lai, Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in the HKSAR Hua You and former immediate Chairman of the Incorporated Trustees of the Jewish Community of Hong Kong Michael Green propose a toast during Tuesday’s reception at the Jewish Community Centre of Hong Kong Hong Kong. – Photo courtesy of Israel Consulate General in Hong Kong.
